According to officials and analysts cited in a Reuters report, Iranian authorities are now attempting to manage heightened political and social tensions following the end of hostilities, with a memorandum expected to be signed later this week outlining an interim arrangement between Tehran and Washington.

The report said hard-line factions within Iran, including elements of the Revolutionary Guards and allied political groups, view the outcome of the confrontation as a strategic success and are pushing for continued military strengthening and a firm negotiating position in any future talks with the United States.

At the same time, Iranian citizens are described as facing severe economic hardship, including high inflation, currency depreciation and unemployment, with widespread expectations that any sanctions relief or access to frozen assets will be directed toward improving living standards and rebuilding infrastructure damaged during the conflict.

Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, said the end of the war could intensify domestic challenges for the clerical leadership, noting that public expectations for economic improvement may rise sharply as military tensions ease.

Reuters also cited Iranian officials as saying that any financial relief under the interim arrangement would likely be allocated to economic stabilisation measures, including support for banking liquidity and reconstruction, while acknowledging risks of renewed public unrest if conditions do not improve.

The report said Iran’s leadership is aware of the potential for renewed protests, recalling previous large-scale demonstrations in 2022–2023, and that authorities have historically relied on strict security measures to suppress dissent during periods of instability.

Saeed Laylaz, an Iranian economist and political analyst, said Iran faces a limited window to stabilise internal conditions, while noting that broader sanctions relief tied to long-term economic recovery would depend on a more comprehensive agreement with the United States.

The report added that divisions within Iran’s political establishment persist over the direction of post-war policy, with some factions prioritising economic recovery and others advocating for continued confrontation and military expansion.

Analysts also noted that tensions between reformist and hard-line elements may shape the government’s ability to manage expectations, particularly as debates continue over Iran’s foreign policy direction and internal governance following the conflict.

Checkpoints staffed by security personnel and volunteers have proliferated across the capital since the conflict began, initially marked by military vehicles and road barriers. While some visible fortifications have been scaled back following recent airstrikes, residents say patrols remain widespread, with teenagers now playing an increasingly prominent role.

Witness accounts describe adolescents aged 13 to 14 manning checkpoints, stopping vehicles and conducting searches. A 28-year-old resident told AFP that she was stopped at two checkpoints in northern Tehran, where teenage boys carrying weapons inspected her phone and personal belongings without consent, calling the encounter intrusive.

Another resident said that beyond formal military checkpoints, groups of youths in private vehicles were independently stopping cars, opening doors and checking dashboards and mobile devices.Authorities have acknowledged lowering the minimum age for Basij recruitment to 12, citing high levels of interest among younger volunteers.

Rahim Nadali, an official with the Revolutionary Guards in Tehran, said on state television that the decision reflected demand from children seeking to participate in defense efforts.The Basij, an auxiliary force under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has historically played a central role in internal security operations.

It was also reported to have been involved in suppressing anti-government protests in January, during which thousands were killed.The expanded use of minors has drawn concern from rights groups and analysts. Some observers interpret the move as an indication of manpower shortages, while others see it as a sign of a more hardline approach by authorities seeking to consolidate control amid external and internal pressures.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, urged supporters to maintain a presence on the streets, framing domestic mobilization as part of a broader strategic effort alongside military and maritime pressures, including tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts say the intensified street presence is aimed at deterring potential unrest, particularly after calls from U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encouraging opposition activity at the outset of the war.

In addition to checkpoint duties, pro-government groups have organized nighttime patrols, using vehicles equipped with loudspeakers to broadcast slogans and display flags in residential areas.

Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, said the government was increasingly reliant on a core base of ideologically committed supporters to maintain order. He noted that this strategy reflects deeper challenges to the state’s legitimacy but has proven effective in sustaining control during wartime conditions.

Human Rights Watch said the recruitment of children under 15 for military roles could constitute a war crime under international law and warned that their deployment exposes them to heightened risks, including potential targeting in military strikes.

Bill Van Esveld, the group’s associate director for children’s rights, said the policy suggested authorities were willing to endanger minors to bolster security capacity.